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Portraying Bartlesville’s past

Last spring, a small group of community-minded citizens were instrumental in transforming the appearance of a downtown building into a vibrant beautification project.

Now, a recently installed interpretive sign enlightens downtown pedestrians and visitors to the meanings behind the “Building the City of Legends” mural that covers what was once an unattractive south wall of the Southern Abstract building on Dewey Avenue.

Located across the parking lot facing the mural, the new interpretive sign serves as an informational guide of the historical figures, key landmarks and events that help shape the community from 1880 through 1929.

“After the mural was painted, many people wanted to know who the historical characters were and what the scenes were about. We always intended to have signage that thanked the sponsors, but this provides us an opportunity to tell the story of the mural, who made it possible and who and what is depicted,” said Pat Moore, a Bartlesville Arts Downtown volunteer.

Moore explained that the idea for a mural was discussed among members of Leadership Bartlesville XX, but it was soon discovered that it had become too large for a leadership project. As a result, he, Brenda Williamson, Kathleen Hargis opted to do it on their own.

“It turned out to be a big, big project,” he said. “We learned a lot along the way. It was one of those projects where you know more coming out than you do going in.”

“We had to find a mural artist, finalize the design, establish a budget, secure funding and set up with an account with the Bartlesville Community Foundation,” added Brenda Williamson.

The small but dedicated volunteer group was determined in making sure that the mural would be unique and accurately portray Bartlesville’s past. The group collaborated with Chris Wilson, director of Downtown Bartlesville Inc., who suggested mural artist Dr. Bob Palmer. Group members also worked closely with the Bartlesville Area History Museum staff, who assisted in finding old photographs representing the city’s heritage and growth.

In addition to explaining how the beautification project evolved, the interpretive sign also provides historical narrative relating to the three-panel mural.

“It was important to us that the signs convey a unified look to those interpretive signs at the 940 locomotive and Nellie Johnstone,” said Moore.

In the first scene, dating from 1880 to 1899, the Bartles Store and the Carr Mill, as well as the state’s first commercial oil well, the Nellie Johnstone No. 1, are depicted, plus early-day pioneers Jacob Bartles, William Johnstone and George Keeler.

The second scene, dating from 1900 to 1919, showcases Bartlesville’s historic business district and includes the Interurban trolley, Washington County Court House, Kress Building and Union National Bank. Legendary oilmen H.V. Foster and the Phillips brothers also are portrayed.

The third and last panel, which dates from 1920 to 1929, includes the Bartlesville headquarters of Cities Service (now campus of RSU), Hotel Maire (now Bartlesville City Hall) and the Frank Phillips Tower plus an iconic Phillips 66 cottage station and the Woolaroc plane. Osage Indian Chief Bacon Rind and H.C. Price are also represented.

Williamson noted the challenge of reviewing numerous historic photographs from the Bartlesville Area History Museum and deciding which ones to use to represent each era.

“It could be challenge deciding which photos to use, simply because there were so many that could fit the focused time periods,” she said. “I think we all learned more about Bartlesville’s history than we knew before and that was enjoyable.”

The Bartlesville Arts Downtown - Mural Project team has been receiving plenty of positive community feedback. They’re also confident that the mural has attracted visitors to other nearby sites, such as to Discovery 1 Park in Johnstone Park and Woolaroc.

Both Moore and Williamson are particularly optimistic about the ongoing revitalization in the downtown commercial and arts districts, and believe the mural project has helped pave the way for additional public art undertakings in the future.